What a joy it was to have so many people to come out for our first "Christ in the Passover Seder." We were taken by surprise at the number of people who attended. We did not have enough room for all that attended. More tables were added and some people had to set in the pews out side of the room where the Seder table was set up. The fellowship hall was likewise over-flowing. People ate in the children's Sunday school rooms.
Even more of a joy was the fact that many unsaved people were in attendance, including a Jewish lady, a Palestianian, and some adults and children who have not yet made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
Please pray that the seeds planted by the Word of God will grow and we will hear very soon of many of these people coming to salvation.
We hope you enjoy these pictures for our "Christ in the Passover" Seder.
Exodus 12:26-27
Welcom to "Christ in the Passover"
The tables are being prepared for the Seder.
The view of the tables being prepared from the other end of the Adult Sunday School room.
Tables are almost ready.
Tables prepared and waiting for the peopel to arrive to begin the Seder.
Seder plate.
Elijah's Cup
Looking through the Passover Candles (which were lit by a woman) over the Seder Table.
Close up look at Elijah's cup.
Looking over Elijah's Cup over the prepared table only moments before the peopel began to arrive.
The meal was not a traditional Passover meal but a Baptist fellowship meal.
Fellowship of belivers around the meal and a solid witness to the unsaved who attended.
Chilrden play in the nursery.
The "unity" bag or Matza Cover.
After the meal we continued with the service.
This portion dealt with the eating and explaining of the prophecy contained in the "Afikomin," and the Cup of Redemption.
The peopel begin to fellowship as they leave the Passover Table.
Next year in Jerusalem...or with the Lord...
In preparation for the Passover, all leaven is removed from the home. God commanded that there should be no leaven found in the home during the celebration of the Passover.
Exodus 12:15, Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
Exodus 12:19, Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
The Apostle Paul may have been thinking of this very important command of the Lord when he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit these instructions concerning the Lord’s Table: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 1 Cor 11:28-30
The house must be free from all leaven. Leaven is simply yeast, the stuff that makes bread rise, and it’s found in bread, cakes, cookies and so forth.
In the Bible, leaven is symbolic for sin.
The father of the house plays a game with the children concerning getting rid of all the leaven in the house. While the mother is busy preparing the food for the meal and bringing out all the special dishes and tableware, the father hides crumbs of bread throughout the house. He may place in on a bookshelf, behind some furniture or on window sills. Then the children come out and search out all the leaven left around. When one of the children finds some of these crumbs they shout for the father, who comes with a feather and a wooden spoon. He carefully brushes the crumbs into the spoon with the feather. He then carries them to a fire and throws them in. Thus all those little sins are burnt up.
1 Corinthians 3:13, Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
How beautifully symbolic of the sacrificial fire of the tabernacle and the Temple this is. The sacrifices were burned up, that men’s sins might be covered.
Let us search out the leaven of sin in our lives so we can observe the truth and beauty of this feast with a pure heart before God.
The Righteousness of Saints
Although we may not have white linen table clothes and napkins this evening, “White Linen” is a very special part of the Passover Table.
Rev 19:7-8
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
The table is set with a white table cloth and white candles, and the father dons a white robe, called a “kittel,” and a white crown.
NOTE: I will not be wearing this clothing. The reason is one of respect. I am not Jewish and am in no way attempting to be Jewish. The purpose of this Seder is to show the prophecy of the Messiah in this feast. Also, it is not our attempt to insult anyone by taking the wearing of their garments lightly.
White dishes may be used, but in any case these dishes are special. They are not the dishes used throughout the rest of the year but are kept away from the others for exclusive use at Passover. The proper kosher housewife keeps four sets of dishes: two others keep milk and meat products meals during the year; tow others keep milk and meat meals during Passover.
The splendid white artifacts, which include the various linens used on the table as part of the service, the napkins, etc., lend an atmosphere of purity and festivity to the meal. Father’s costume is that of the High Priest in the Tabernacle, who wore a pure white robe, and the effect is that part of the official Temple worship has been brought home for Passover. Father also symbolizes the risen Christ, the High Priest, Who glowed white after His resurrection.
The Haggadah
Haggadah means “to tell” coming from Exodus 13:8, “And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.” The Passover story is told each year to the children so they can tell their children. The great and miraculous redemption of Israel by God must not forgotten. If this wonderful event is forgotten by the people, then the people would soon forget God.
This “Christ in the Passover Haggadah” was prepared to show to us an even greater miracle: The miracle of God redeeming mankind from the slave market of sin through the Messiah Jesus. On the last evening before His willing sacrifice on the Cross Jesus said, “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.” Luke 2:15
It is our intent that through this Haggadah to demonstrate why Jesus had such “desire” to eat the Passover with His disciples. Not only will we see why the Apostle Paul could declare “For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” (1 Cor. 5:7), but we will also see where our communion (Lord’s Table or Lord’s Supper) comes from the Passover.
The Seder Plate
The Passover is a time to remember that first Passover night in Egypt. In order to aid in remembering more fully what happened, a Seder plate is placed on the table. The word Seder means “order.” The items on this plate bring order to the telling of the story by providing ceremonial items to more fully tell the story of Passover.
Let’s Now Celebrate the Passover
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. Exodus 12:14
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 1 Corinthians 5:7
Lighting the Candles
Now the candles are lit, as the preparation continues. Interestingly they are lit by a woman.
Traditionally women do very little in Judaism, and almost nothing in orthodox Judaism. They are seated apart from the men in the orthodox synagogue, in a balcony or shielded downstairs section, and they do not read the Scriptures nor pray. The Jewish wife properly consults her husband for requests to be made to God, and the single girl, her father.
But women light the candles. The mother of the house is supposed to do it.
Mother (light the candles and say)
Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us in life and sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.
The symbol here is obvious. It was a woman who brought us Christ, the Light of the world. Jesus could have come down from heaven a mature man, certainly.
For with God nothing is impossible. Is there anything too hard for the Lord? This was within the powers of God, who made Adam from the dust and Eve from a bone. But instead Jesus was born of a woman, like every one of us. The message of course, that Jesus had human flesh like ours; He grew tired and hungry. He wept. God chose a woman, Mary, to bring us Christ our Passover, however, and so woman still brings the light to the Passover celebration.
In Isaiah we read:
Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
In Matthew we read:
Matt 1:22-23, Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
The Order of The Service
Moses needed encouragement in accepting God’s plan for delivering Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians. It is interesting that as God encouraged Moses, He also outlined His plan of redemption for Israel.
… I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians…
… I will rid you out of their bondage…
… I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments…
…And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God... Exodus 6:6-7
The Passover service follows the same outline in retelling that redemption story. Each time a cup is taken it represents one of these “I wills” revealed in God’s plan of redemption. In such a way we will be reminded of God’s desire to redeem Israel to Himself. We will also see how the Messiah used this plan of redemption to institute the memorial service of the redemption of mankind.
The Cup of Sanctification
The First Cup
Four cups of wine will be drunk as part of the Passover festivities. The first cup is called the Cup of Sanctification, and it simply sanctifies the table and all of the preparations. Sanctify means to set aside. In this case the table and all of the participants are set aside for the purpose of God in the Passover Seder and prophecy.
Notice that the service has still not begun, everything is still being made ready.
There is almost a mood of father certifying that all has been prepared in strictest accordance with the law as he pours the first cup. He approves the whole family’s labors, and he gives the table itself his blessing with his prayer over the wine.
“I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
Father (lifting the cup) says:
Let us lift our cup the first time to sanctify the evening by remembering how God brought His people out from under the yoke of their oppressors.
Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, Ruler of the world, Who chose us out of all the people and selected us over all of the nations, and made us holy through His commandments. Lovingly, O Lord our God, you have given us festival days for joy, this feast of Passover, anniversary of our freedom a holy assembly, honoring our departure from Egypt: for you have chosen us and made us holier than other people and your holy festivals did You give us lovingly and kindly with happiness and joys. Blessed art Thou, Lord, Who made holy the Sabbath, the people of Israel and festivals.
Luke 22:14-18, And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Let us drink the cup together leaning to the left.
Washing Hands
Father (washes hands with provided bowl and towel)
We now wash our hands for the first time. In biblical times this was a occasion when the participants at the meal could serve one another by washing and drying each others hands and feet.
Jesus used this ceremony to remind us that though we are free from the bondage of sin through faith, we are still to be servants to one another.
John 13:5, After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
John 13:12-14, So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
Parsley – The Karpas
Father:
The green of the karpas represents the green of springtime when the Passover is celebrated. The karpas itself represents the hyssop used to place the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts and lintel. The salt water represents the tears shed in the land of bondage and the Red Sea, both of which are salty.
Blessed art thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the earth.
Let us eat the karpas together.
Breaking the Middle Matzah
Father: (Lifting the plate which contains the three matzah.)
This is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry come and eat of it. Let anyone who is needy come and celebrate Passover with us.
Remember these words spoken here. This is a very important statement regarding the “Passover” Jesus Christ. For indeed, whosoever is spiritually hungry can be fed by the “Bread of Life.”
These three matzah are considered a “Unity” by the rabbis. This “Unity” has various explanations. Some say it represents the patriarchs- Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Others say it pictures the unity of Israel – the Priests, the Levites and Israel in general.
The Maggid
(The retelling of the story of the Exodus)
Father: (read Exodus 12:1-14)
The Four Questions
(A young child asks :)
Why is this night different from all other nights?
(Oldest family member solemnly replies :)
We were slaves in Egypt to Pharaoh, and the Lord redeemed us with a mighty hand. If the Holy and Blessed One had not taken our fathers out of Egypt, then we, our children and our grandchildren, too, would be Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt.
This is why, even though we might be wise and learned and experienced, though we might know the Torah well, it is our duty to tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt; and the more one tells of the Exodus from Egypt, the more praise-worthy he is.
(The youngest child continues to ask:)
1. On all other nights we may eat either leavened or unleavened bread, why on this night, only unleavened bread?
2. On all other nights we eat all kinds of herbs, why on this night must we especially eat bitter herbs?
3. On all other nights, we need not even dip our herbs in any condiment, why on this night do we dip herbs twice: the parsley in salt water, and bitter herbs in charoseth?
4. On all other nights we eat either sitting or reclining, why on this night do we all recline?
Father:
Let me now answer your questions one by one:
1. We eat matzah because our forefathers left Egypt in haste. Exodus 12:34, And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. Exodus 12:39, And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.
2. We eat bitter herbs to remind us of the bitterness our forefathers experienced when they were oppressed by their Egyptian taskmasters.
3. We dip herbs twice: the parsley in salt water has already been explained, the bitter herbs in charoseth we will explain a bit later.
4. We recline to the left as a sign we are a free people. In ancient times, slaves are hurriedly, standing or squatting on the ground, while free men would recline while they ate. To show our freedom tonight we lean to the left as we drink from the cup.
The pillow at the table reminds us of the freedom we have because of what God has done.
The Jewish sages of old had many discussions on how to reply to the Four Questions. They were concerned about two kinds of slavery from which Israel had been delivered: physical and spiritual bondage. It was not enough to be free in body; one must also be free spiritually.
Jesus, during this festival celebrating deliverance from physical bondage, also emphasized the need for redemption from spiritual bondage.
The following is one of the traditional answers found in a Haggadah:
In the beginning our forefathers were idol worshippers. God however, called us to His service. For we read in the Torch: Joshua said to all the people, “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac. And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.” Joshua 24:2-4
Praised be God who keeps his promise to Israel; praised be He! For the Holy One, praised be He, determined the end of our bondage in order to fulfill His work, pledged in a solemn covenant to our father Abraham:
“And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.” (Genesis 15:13-14)
God indeed keeps His promises.
The Cup of Judgment
“I will rid you out of their bondage.”
Father: (with everyone raising their cup)
God’s unfailing help has sustained our fathers and us. For not only one enemy has risen up to destroy us, but in every generation do men rise up against us seeking to destroy us; but the Holy One, praised be He, delivers us from their hands.
(Place cup down-DO NOT DRINK)
Father:
A full cup of the fruit of the vine is a symbol of joy and celebration, and on this occasion we are filled with joy in celebrating God’s deliverance from physical bondage. We must not forget that lives were sacrificed to bring about this freedom from bondage. The Book of Proverbs cautions us: Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: (Proverbs 24:17)
We must not forget the high cost of redemption: for Israel from Egyptian bondage – human lives; and for redemption from sin – the death of the Messiah. Therefore this cup cannot be full when it is taken
As we recount the plagues (the cost of redemption) we will pour out some of the fruit of the vine from the cup.
(When each plague is recited dip your little finger in the cup and drop some of the liquid on the plate.)
BLOOD! FROGS! LICE! FLIES!
DISEASE ON THE CATTLE! BOILS! HAIL! LOCUSTS!
DARKNESS! DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN!
Father:
“And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:”
(Deuteronomy 26:8)
“And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt”: not by any intermediary angel, seraph, or messenger, but by God Himself in His glory, the Holy One, praised be He.
Family:
In the same manner, the Lord Jesus Himself, not an angel, seraph or messenger, redeemed us from the bondage of sin.
Dayenu
Father:
We can praise the Lord for His goodness. With each act of mercy and grace we can declare “dayenu” – “it would have been enough!”
If He had merely rescued us from Egypt,
but had not punished the Egyptians, Dayenu!
If He had merely slain their first born,
but had not given us their property Dayenu!
If He had merely split the sea for us,
but had not brought us through on dry ground Dayenu!
If He had merely supplied us in the desert for forty years,
but had not fed us with manna Dayenu!
If He had merely given us the Law,
but had not led us t the land of Israel Dayenu!
If he had merely led us to the land of Israel,
but had not built the Temple Dayenu!
How much more, are we indebted for the many blessings the LORD has bestowed upon us!
As believers in Messiah, we can add an additional Dayenu:
If God had only provided salvation through the death of our Messiah,
but had not done anything more Dayenu!
But praise the Lord, He has provided much more! He came to give life and to give it more abundantly.
Now look at your plate. What do you see? Does this not remind you of drops of blood? It represents the blood of the Passover Lamb which is slain for our freedom both physical (for Israel) and spiritual (for all believers).
The Essential of the Passover Service
Rabbi Gamaliel, teacher of the Apostle Paul, said, “He who has not made mention of the three essentials of the Passover Seder, has not fulfilled his duty.”
The Passover Lamb
The Unleavened Bread
The Bitter Herb
The Passover Lamb
Father: (Raises the shankbone and asks)
Since there is not Temple in which to sacrifice the Passover Lamb, this shankbone reminds us of that sacrificial lamb.
The Passover Lamb, which our forefathers ate during the days of the temple – what was the reason for it?
Family:
The Passover Lamb reminds us that the LORD, blessed be He, passed over the house of our forefathers in Egypt as it is written: “It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.” (Exodus 12:27)
Father: (Lifting the egg says)
Like the shankbone, the egg has been added to the Seder plate to represent the chagigah – a sacrifice offered in the days of the Temple. The egg is roasted to represent this special peace offering on the day of preparation of the Passover.
While this peace offering was being eaten in the Temple, the Price of Peace was dying for the sins of mankind outside the city.
The Unleavened Bread
Father: (Raises the Matzah and asks)
What is the meaning of the Matzah that we eat?
Family:
This matzah reminds us that before the dough, which our forefathers had prepared for bread had time to become leavened, the King of kings, the Most Holy One, praised be He, revealed Himself to them and redeemed them. As it is written: “And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.” (Exodus 12:39)
The Bitter Herbs
Father: (Points to the bitter herbs and asks)
What is the meaning of the Bitter Herbs which we eat?
Family:
The Bitter Herbs, called Maror, reminds us that the Egyptians embittered the lives of our forefathers in Egypt. As it is written: “And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.” (Exodus 1:14)
Father:
Therefore, we are duty bound to thank, praise, adore, glorify, exalt, honor, extol, and reverence Him who preformed for our fathers and for us all these miracles. He brought us from slavery to freedom; from sorrow to joy, from mourning to festivity, and from servitude to redemption. Let us therefore sing a new song in his presence.
Hallelujah!
The Hallel (The Praise)
Psalm 113
Father:
Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
Family:
Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
Father:
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
Family:
The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Father:
Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
Family:
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
Father:
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children
All:
Praise ye the LORD.
Father: (with everyone raising his or her cup)
Let us take the cup for the second time representing the second “I will,” – “I will rid you out of their bondage.”
We who believe in Jesus can rejoice in the freedom we have received from the slavery of sin.
Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
(All drink together leaning to the left)
THE MEAL
Washing Hands before the Meal
Father: (Washes his hands a second time and says)
Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us and commanded us concerning the washing of the hands.
The Blessing over the Matzah
Father: (Breaks off pieces from the top matzah of the “Unity,” and distributes a piece to each person at the table and says:)
Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
(All eat)
Eating the Bitter Herbs
Father: (breaks off pieces from the bottom matzah of the “Unity,” places a portion of the Maror on each piece, distributes to each person at the table and says:)
Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Thy word and commanded us to eat herbs.
(All eat)
Eating the Bitter Herbs and Charoseth
Father: (Takes two pieces of matzah from the “Unity” for each person at the table, placing some maror and charoseth on one piece and then making a sandwich with the second piece after which he says:)
The charoseth represents the mortar used to make bricks in Egypt. The sweet taste is a reminder that the hard task of making bricks under slave conditions was sweetened by the promise of the LORD that someday He would lead Israel out of bondage and into freedom in the Promised Land. Rabbi Hillel taught that the bitter herbs and charoseth should be eaten with matzah to remind us that the bitterness of life can be sweetened by the hope we have in God.
(All eat)
The Passover Supper
(The father offers thanks for the meal about to be eaten)
(The Passover Dinner is now served)
NOTE: THIS IS NOT A TRUE PASSOVER MEAL WE WILL BE EATTING TONIGHT, BUT A CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP MEAL
The Seder will conclude following the meal, do not leave.
The Afikomen
(The final dessert)
(The children can now search for the Afikomen which has been hidden. The father must ransom the matzah from the child who finds it by paying a coin to the child.)
Now comes the most beautiful and touching symbolic part of all the Passover, the Third Cup of wine, which is the Cup of Redemption.
It is now time to bring forth that buried loaf of unleavened bread, which will serve as the dessert to the meal. The Afikomen, as it is called has been recovered by a child who has now received a ransom for it.
Afikomen literally means, “Festival procession, or arrival.” This makes one think of Jesus triumphantly entering Jerusalem under the palm branches. To others it is a picture of the triumph of risen Christ victoriously from the tomb.
1 Cor 15:54-55, So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
That buried unleavened bread, that middle piece, is then eaten with the third cup of wine.
Father:
According to Passover tradition, the meal is not complete without eating the Afikomen. It is taught that the Afikomen is the substitute for the Passover Lamb. This is the final dessert of the meal. No food is to be eaten after the Afikomen so the taste will linger.
Father: (Breaks the matzah into small pieces, distributes a piece to each person and says:)
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Who bringest forth bread from the earth.
It is at this point we see the Lord’s Table, or Communion. This is where Jesus took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19)
Do you see the connection?
Let us examine this picture now.
A review of the Afikomen and it significance to believers in Messiah Jesus:
The matzah is unleavened – without yeast:
In Scripture leaven represents sin:
1 Cor 5:6-8, Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
The matzah is pierced:
But he was wounded (pierced hands, feet and side) for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isa 53:5)
John 19:33-37, But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
The matzah has stripes:
And with his stripes we are healed. (Isa 53:5)
Even as this middle matzah is broken, so was our Messiah broken in death.
Even as we wrap this bread of affliction, so was the body of the Messiah wrapped in a cloth.
Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. (John 19:40)
Even as this matzah is hidden away, so was our Lord’s body hidden away or buried
Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. (John 19:41-42)
Listen to the prayer over the Afikomen once again.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Who bringest forth bread from the earth.
Let us now look at the references to bread in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Hebrew – Beth Lechem – meaning “House of Bread.”
Jesus continually used the image of bread and growing grain in His teachings:
John 12:24, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Jesus was raised in “The Branch” (Nazareth in Hebrew is “Nezteret,” branch.
Jesus was baked in the fire (judged by God on our behalf).
Jesus was wrapped in white linen and buried just like this piece of bread (Afikomen).
And finally, Jesus was brought forth from the earth just as the prayer over the Afikomen thanked God for.
Jesus was the “First Fruits” out of the ground (remember Resurrection Sunday is actually the Feast of First Fruits).
Now, Jesus is the “Bread of Life” to all who partake of Him.
Then Jesus said while holding this Afikomen, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
This is, of course, is what we do when taking of the Lord’s Table.
Jesus is telling His disciples to take a good look at this piece of matzah and remember.
Just like this unleavened bread, Jesus was sinless.
It is pierced; Jesus was pierced (hands, feet and side).
It is striped; Jesus was striped by the lash.
It was broken; Jesus literally died on the cross for our sins.
It was taken from the middle portion of “Unity” the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
It was wrapped in white linen; Jesus was wrapped in white linen.
It was hidden or buried away; Jesus was buried in the tomb.
Afikomen means to come forth in a festival procession; Jesus came forth from the grave a Victor over death, the grave, sin and Satan.
When you look at this piece of matzah you have the only picture of Jesus Christ we have.
Jesus is the “dessert” of life, the final homecoming for those who forage for nourishment in the wilderness.
The Third Cup of Wine
The Cup of Redemption
And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders: Deut 26:8
John 6:53, Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Jesus clearly identifies the wine as His blood.
Matthew 26:27-28 records the Lord raising the Cup of Redemption: And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Before we discuss the blessing over the wine let us discuss the marriage custom of Jesus’ time. It was quite different than it is now. The young bridegroom would have to approach his chosen bride with a contract, a covenant of marriage, which both would have to sign. There was money involved. The groom would pay a bride price. The father of the bride would get the dowry.
When the contract was agreed upon the groom would drink a toast with the bride. The cup of wine sealed the covenant.
The groom would then leave, but he would first tell his bride, “I go to prepare a place for you,” and he would return to his father’s house. There he would build a bridal chamber, a little mansion, where the couple would eventually have their honeymoon.
Meanwhile, the bride waited at home, consecrated, set apart, “brought for a price,” until her bridegroom would come for her.
She would be waiting all the time, every night, because her groom had paid a great price for her and she was loyal (and of course eager to be married). She would wear her veil whenever she went out so that the other young men would not try to make a contract with her and she would especially emphasize purity and modesty in her time of waiting for her bridegroom.
At home she kept her oil lamp and plenty of oil standing by, for her groom might well come in the middle of the night and she had to be ready to travel, even in the dark. In fact, the idea was exactly that; the groom would try to surprise the bride by coming at an unexpected hour. All the Jewish brides were “stolen,” abducted, and they took great pleasure in the romance of it all.
The groom would be working as fast as possible to complete the bridal chamber. He wanted to get married as soon as he could. But it was not the groom’s decision but the father’s decision as to when this would be. The groom took the father’s advice about the price to be paid for the bride, the suitability of the chamber and the best time to go for the bride. The “little mansion” was not finished until the father said it was finished. If some one would ask the groom, “When’s the big day?” he would answer, “Only my father knows.”
Finally, the big day would come and the groom, with his groomsmen, would slip over to the bride’s home an steal her away. Now there were rules governing that; he could not just rush in and grab her without warning.
There had to be a shout. Someone in the groom’s party would shout something like “Behold, the bridegroom comes!” in order to properly warn the bride. When the bride heard that shout she was as good as married. She and her sisters and her bridesmaids would quickly trim their lamps and get going. Her father and brothers would take a look outside just to be sure it was the young man with the contract, but otherwise everything would happen very quickly.
The bride would be snatched away to the chamber where the couple would shut the door. Wedding guests, friends of the groom’s father, would already be assembled. But the celebration would not begin until the marriage was consummated within the chamber. The groom’s best friend would stand near the door and listen for the groom’s voice; the groom would tell him when the marriage was official.
Then the crowd outside would let loose with a seven-day celebration. Everyone wanted to be present at the end of the week because the bride and groom would come out and there would be a great feast, called the Marriage Supper.
Now if you followed along with this and you have knowledge of the Gospels you will come to the realization that Jesus preformed every bit of this custom. He was a Jewish bridegroom come to take a bride. He carried out the laws and customs of His people to the letter.
Jesus approached us with a contract, the New Covenant (or New Testament).
Jer 31:31-34, Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Heb 8:8-12, For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
This very advantageous contract for the bride stated that all the bride’s sins would be forgiven and remembered no more. Jehovah had previously endured a difficult time with His wife, Israel, who was adulterous (see the Book of Hosea) but He, in effect, did what no man would do, He came back to the same bride with a New Contract. How forgiving He really is.
God signed His covenants with men in blood (Abraham, Moses for example had to sacrifice animals at the signing of the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants). And so Jesus came with His blood, ready to ratify God’s New Covenant with Israel. He drank the cup with Hid bride, stating clearly, “This is the blood of the new testament, shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matt. 26:28)
Jesus found the price very high. He even prayed to His Father “Remove this cup from me” (Luke 22:42) but He ultimately obeyed His Father (“Thy will,, not mine, be done”) and paid the high price for His bride on the cross. Certainly we can understand that some of the young Jewish bridegrooms were taken aback by the price of the girl they loved, but they invariably listened to their fathers’ advice on this. (Luke 22:42 show how much Jesus had to pay for us.)
Jesus told His bride, “I go to prepare a place for you,” and He went to heaven to prepare our bridal chamber. Only His Father knows when He will come for us, but we are waiting, consecrated, set apart, “Bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
1Thes 4:16, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
We, as believers, are waiting for our Bridegroom, listening for that shout. We have our oil lamps (Oil = the Holy Spirit) and we will be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
When the Bridegroom comes for us we will go to the Judgment Seat of Christ in heaven (2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:11-15). How is this like a honeymoon? A honeymoon is where the groom removes bride’s veils and knows her secrets. Jesus will examine our works in Him and reward us accordingly in the chamber. When we are consecrated as His bride He will announce that to his friend outside the door. And so John the Baptist told the mystified Pharisees, “Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.” (John 3:28-29) So we see that John the Baptizer is the Best Man.
Then all of the wedding guests outside the chamber will celebrate. They will be Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah and all His other friends who are up there waiting for this wedding.
Think about that wedding supper! Daniel may sit by Jeremiah and say, “You know I read your book” (Dan. 9:2).
At last we will be consecrated, and we will get to wear the wonderful white linen which is the righteousness of saints (Rev. 19: 7, 8). We will be the guest of honor at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Then, as was the custom, we will depart from the Groom’s Father’s house. The bride and the groom would leave his father’s house after the marriage supper and set up housekeeping on their own. So we will accompany the Lord back to earth to live with Him in His Kingdom.
We are now the bride of Christ, but we shall someday be the Queen of the Kingdom! We will reign with Him, submissive to Him, of course, as it the Christina wife to her husband. (Eph. 5:22) What a promise!
All of this is said in order to demonstrate properly the magnificent blessing toast Jesus said over the wine. We are discussing the third cup of wine, the one taken with the hidden bread, and now we can better understand what Jesus said when He “gave thanks.”
Jesus did actually toast the bride, as was the custom.
Father: Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
Let us drink this cup together, again while leaning left, in remembrance of the great redemption found only in Jesus Christ.
Jesus had already said, “I am the true vine.” Now He blesses “the fruit of the vine.” The fruit of the vine is the believer. The disciples were the branches and we are the fruit. And so Jesus drank a toast to us, the church, the fruit of the Vine, the Bride of Christ.
After the blessing over the wine Jesus presented it as His blood of the New Covenant, certifying for one and for all that all who drank this cup with Him would have their sins remitted. That is just what God promised in the New Covenant: “I will remember their sins no more” (Jer. 31:34; Heb. 8:12).
Jesus went on to spill His literal blood at the crucifixion. It fell to the earth like the blood of the sacrificial lambs of old, setting the new arraignment between God and man in motion.
How much more significant it is to now consider John the Baptizer’s declaration, “Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world.”
What we have just seen is communion, the bread and wine, in all its glory.
There is a major difference between communion (the Lord’s Table) as it is done in church and communion as it is done at the Passover table. This difference is in the area of joy. Passover is a party, a celebration. Communion is usually a very solemn event. The Jews display more pure joy at the idea of their ancestors being freed from slavery 3,500 years ago than the Christian does over the prospect of eternal life.
To finish the magnificent third cup of wine, we need to consider Jesus’ statement, “Do this in remembrance of me.” We are obedient to that command when we take communion, but the statement should be realized in its fulness. It demonstrates that we do not need to keep the seven feasts in their original forms in the New Covenant.
The feasts were given to Israel not to the Church.
In other words Jesus was saying this: “Brothers, you have always kept the Passover and it has helped to remind you that God delivered our people, Israel, out of physical bondage from Egypt. This was a type-symbol. Jesus is the fulfillment of that symbol. Jesus can deliver you from the bondage of sin. So when you take the bread and wine from now on, do it remembrance of the “Spiritual Passover.” In Egypt physical death passed over the houses with the blood on the doorposts and lintels; now spiritual death passes over those saved by the blood of The Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ.”
Elijah’s Place
Father: (Lifting the cup at Elijah’s place)
You have noticed that no one sat at this place during the meal. This is traditionally called Elijah’s place. Tradition says Elijah will come at Passover to announce the coming of the Messiah. (A child opens the door to see if Elijah has come.)
The Fourth Cup
The Cup of Praise
And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: Exodus 6:7
Father: (Fills the cup for the fourth and last time and says.)
The Lord has remembered us, He will bless us, He will bless the house of Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron.
He will bless those who revere the Lord, the small as well as the great:
May the Lord increase you, more and more, you and your children.
You are blessed of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth has He given to the children of men.
The dead praise not the Lord nor do they who descend into the silent grave.
B ut we will bless the Lord from henceforth until evermore.
Hallelujah!
Jesus did not drink of the fourth cup, and there is a good reason why He did not.
The fourth cup, the Cup of Praise, is Elijah’s Cup. It is at the point in the Passover service that the Jews look for the literal fulfillment of Mal. 4:5, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:”
Jesus and the disciples did not partake of that cup because there was no need to go to the door and look for Elijah to come and proclaim the “Messiah cometh,” because the Messiah was already present with them at their very Passover table. Jesus had stated that john the Baptizer had come in the spirit of Elijah and already announced the Messiah.
Jesus made it very clear that the third cup was the last cup he would drink. When He put down that cup of the New Testament He said, “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”
By this He meant that Passover in some form would be a part of the Kingdom, but also that the third cup, His blood, would be sufficient to get us all to the Kingdom. No further sacrifice would be necessary, no further ritual, no further coming of prophets. “It is finished,” Jesus was to say on the cross as His blood was actually shed.
Father: Next Year in Jerusalem
That is a fascinating prayer, “Next year in Jerusalem.”
For us as believers we need to close our Passover with the prayer, “Next year in the New Jerusalem.”
We would then be praying for the coming of the Kingdom.
The Hymn
And when they sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives, Matthew 26:30
This hymn was most likely taken from Psalm 115-118:
But tonight we will use Psalm 100:
Father: Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Family: Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Father: Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Father: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
All Together: For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
And all God’s people said, Amen.
Father: The Passover Seder is now complete, even as our redemption is complete in our Messiah Jesus Christ.
Gen 3:15, And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
(The parsley is dipped into the salt water and given to all.)
(Remove the middle piece of matzah, break in half, placing the larger piece back in the “Unity.” Wrap the larger piece in a white napkin. Then ask the children to cover their eyes while this piece is hidden.)
In Jewish tradition there is no clear explanation why this is done. We will discuss this later in our Seder.
